Songs of the Week: May 08 - 14, 2023

May 15, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Up 2 U” by Yukon Blonde

Yukon Blonde is back! Nearly three years after their last album, the group have dropped an incredibly earwormy new single, "Up 2 U".

Much like their last album, the new tune fuses some classic guitar licks & cowbell with more modern synth, and of course features their impeccable harmonies.

Singer Jeffrey Innes says “‘Up 2 U’ is a classic 120 BPM bop inspired by the kind of thing you’d see on the Midnight Special or Soul Train. I always wanted one of those DVDs you’d see advertised on those late night infomercials back in the day, but my family didn’t have any money and my mom thought they were a scam. She almost gave in once when we saw Marvin Gaye and Redbone on one, but in the end it never happened. Lyrically, the song is about personal choice and ignoring the narrow-minded folks who just can’t seem to stay out of your business.”

No solid word yet on a full length album to go with the song, but the band is teasing for later this year!

Kirk

“Shake It” by The Matinee

We’re gettin’ groovy this Monday morning!

Another new tune from Vancouver band The Matinee, “Shake It” follows the release of “Bad Addiction” and “Road To Hell”, and takes the band in another direction musically.

While listening I pictured a 50’s-era high school dance scene from a movie (the visualizer video below pretty much nailed that!), but lead singer Matt Layzell has a whole vision about the song:
“I imagine this song in an Audi or a Volkswagon commercial… A well-dressed guy pulls up at dusk to a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired house and tosses a stone up at the second-floor bay window. His lover comes running out and hops over the door and into the convertible passenger side. They speed off all smiles grooving along to the song as they wind down the empty, lamp-lit street, likely headed for some late-night hot spot. I often picture the imagery this way in the songs we write, drafting the video as we craft the tune. In this one, it’s clear. Sometimes we all just need a good night out to get the blood pumping and feel that heart beating a little louder. Sometimes, things move fast. Sometimes, there’s someone that you just can’t resist.”

No official release date for the new album yet, but I’m sure there is more to come as the band gears up for summer touring.

Christine

Songs of the Week: May 01 - 07, 2023

May 08, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Blame Brett” by The Beaches

My first thought before even listening to the brand new song from The Beaches was, “jeez, I’d hate to be Brett”.

That’s because “Blame Brett” is the lead single for their upcoming album Blame My Ex, though Jordan Miller clarifies: “Blame Brett is a song with a little bit of a misleading title. It’s not really about my relationship. It’s about feeling vulnerable and afraid to open your heart to someone new. I'm basically talking to my future partners, explaining that I can only offer something casual while my heart heals—a song for all the hot messes out there.”

The new song is incredibly infectious and chaotic, as you would expect from the group, and you can grab the album when it comes out September 15. You can also catch The Beaches in a city near you when they hit the road this fall, including a show here in Vancouver at the Orpheum(!) on November 12.

Kirk

“Expensive” by Chin Injeti ft. Jarrel The Young

An 80’s inspired tune for a Monday morning? Yes please!

Chin Injeti teased in January that he would be releasing new music this year, and after “All For Nothing” a few months ago, we have another one.

“Expensive”, which features producer and songwriter Jarrel The Young, takes inspiration from Grace Jones’ hit “Crush” and is about “celebrating the decadence of love and all it comes with”.
It’s an infectious tune that has me excited to hear more soon!

Christine

“Cruel” by FRANKIIE

As we creep closer to the release of FRANKIIE’s new album Between Dreams, the Vancouver group is giving us another taste with the latest song, “Cruel”.

The third single off the upcoming album, “Cruel” is a dream-pop vibe that showcases the group’s ethereal vocals. About the song, the band saying “In an age of celebrated self-absorption, we were inspired to write this song about a fictitious character that we sing back and forth with. It is essentially an amalgamation of all the narcissists we’ve ever met and in turn we want nothing to do with.”

Check out the live performance video below, mark June 2nd for the release of Between Dreams. And if you’re here in Vancouver, check out their double album release party alongside Winona Forever at Green Auto on June 9th (please go in my place, as I’m out of town that weekend!)

Kirk

“The North Shore” by Gord Downie & Bob Rock

The long awaited album between the late, great Gord Downie, and Bob Rock, Lustre Parfait, is finally out, and with it’s release, another single titled “The North Shore”.

It’s a gorgeous ballad, and does a great job balancing the rest of the album, and while I immediately thought it was about the North Shore of Vancouver, Bob explains more throughly:
"I had the music to 'The North Shore' around for a very long time. I think when Gord came to Maui when we did The Tragically Hip records, he stayed on the north shore of Maui, so we were joking that there was a north shore of Vancouver, it seemed there was a north shore of every culture and every country. But in the end what Gord wrote, it's not about any north shore at all, but just this beautiful story of a couple with his incredible imagery as the backdrop.”

Definitely one of my favourite records this year so far - it’s always nice to hear new music from an artist that’s left us. Amazing work Gord.

Christine

Songs of the Week: April 24 - 30, 2023

May 01, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Replacements” by Chromeo (feat. La Roux)

Starting your Monday morning off with the Funklordz, Chromeo, is never a bad thing.
“Replacements” ft. La Roux (who made an appearance during their Coachella set recently) is the latest release from the duo, who seem to be amping up to a new album release.

The end of the press release said “More from Chromeo is imminent” and they have announced a tour, with a stop at the Vogue Theatre on September 26th.
Have a funky day!

Christine

“All Of This Time” by Jenn Grant (feat. Bahamas)

Jenn Grant recently gave us another glimpse at her upcoming album, which is full of collaborations with some of Canada’s finest musicians.

“All of the Time” is latest single, a beautiful tune that Grant wrote with Bahamas.
Jenn says: “So wonderful to spend an afternoon working up this little ditty with Bahamas. I will never forget coming up with that chorus together in our little studio singing in harmony. His voice felt like a big ship taking me out to sea. Watching him play guitar, and then casually stroll over to the piano to add little bits of music here and there was mesmerizing. He thought he was just tickling the ivories, playing a few notes here and there for fun. We kept everything.”
And Bahamas adds: “So great to spend an afternoon with JG and sing together. I think this song officially qualifies as a ‘ditty.’ Wish we had more time to write a bridge but the guys upstairs at corporate had us working to a tight deadline. Hope you enjoy the results!”

Champagne Problems is out June 21st, and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the collabs, which include Basia Bulat, Dan Mangan, Kevin Drew, Slow Leaves, Joel Plaskett, Tim Baker, Hannah Georgas & Amy Millan, and more!

Kirk

“Beautiful View” by Hannah Georgas

I’ll tell you what’s a beautiful view…the sight of new music from Hannah Georgas in my inbox!
“Beautiful View” is the second release from Georgas after “This Too Shall Pass” off of the album that is due to come out this summer.
Of the song she says it is “about seeing the beauty in the things we can take for granted. It’s about having perspective and recognizing the things we often overlook. It’s about enjoying the moment, even if it’s not a breathtaking high or grand achievement. Instead of sweating the small stuff I’m trying to be more present and thankful. Zooming out and seeing things from that perspective isn't always easy and it's all definitely still a work in progress for me.”
I cannot wait for more music, the album itself, and then hopefully some tour date announcements!

Christine

“Your Favourite Place” by Noble Oak

It’s funny that get to write about this new track “Your Favourite Place” by Noble Oak, because I ran into the man himself this week while we were both at work!

In addition to the new track, Noble Oak is announcing that his new album When It Finds You will be released on July 8th. The new tune, which I find incredibly ear-worm-y, is a song about finding optimism and “the desire to return to a place of comfort”.

No show announcements yet, but I might have got the inside scoop, so stay tuned!

Christine

Songs of the Week: April 17 - 23, 2023

April 24, 2023 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“I Get High” by iskwē feat. Nina Hagen

Last week iskwē dropped her latest single, “I Get High” (appropriately enough, on April 20th). The new tune features German punk icon Nina Hagen, and has a driving beat & distorted guitars, with a hook that will get stuck in your head for the rest of the week.

iskwē elaborats “I grew up smoking weed, listening to Nina Hagen, and singing loudly when I knew no one was listening; always self-conscious, always self-aware. This piece was written in response to a painful experience of mine, where I wanted to remind people of the power of love and the importance of supporting each other in this lifetime, rather than trying to cancel each other out. I realised it was finally time to let go of worrying about what people thought of me and my art. As the legendary Peter Tosh sings, ‘I am who I am who I am.’ This is a call-out for us to hold each other up as we attain our many successes in life, knowing there is room for us all to win. And while we’re at it, let’s exhale and get high!”

No word yet on a new album, but I can’t wait to hear more!

Kirk

“Alco” by Half Moon Run

We have a released date and album title for the new music coming out from Half Moon Run.
Salt will come out on June 2nd, a month ahead of the start of a massive string of tours for the band, stretching all the way into December.
(Including two nights at the Commodore Ballroom in November.)

Accompanying the announcement is a release of the second song from the band this year “Alco”. A super catchy tune you wan to sway to, “Alco” starts off with a ukulele riff rediscovered from 2012, and the band says it’s a “journey through the dark places of the mind towards, hopefully, the light”.

Christine

“Crash The Time Machine” by Odds

It’s been ten years(!) since their last full length album, but Odds are back to Crash the Time Machine.

Last week they dropped the title track to their upcoming album, a deceptively upbeat song, in true Odds fashion.

The new album is out August 4th, and was co-producer by long-time friend of the band and frequent collaborator, Steven Page.

Kirk

“Taimangalimaaq (Time After Time)” by Elisapie

Last month, Elisapie released her first new single in some time, a cover/translation of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”. Now, she’s back with not only a new song, but announcing a brand new album!

“Taimangalimaaq (Time After Time)” is a beautiful Inuktitut adaptation of the Cyndi Lauper banger, which you’ll be able to hear on the upcoming Inuktitut.

Aside from the aforementioned songs, Elisapie's fourth solo album will feature similar covers of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Queen, and more. All songs & artists that have a strong emotional connection for Elisapie, as she heard them on the community radio throughout Nunavik, Northern Quebec. The album features 10 songs translated into the thousand-year-old Inuit language, and will be out September 15th.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: April 10 - 16, 2023

April 17, 2023 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Hard Luck” by Patrick Krief

We’ve heard a few teases of a new album by Patrick Krief, but now we have a release date! Skylines comes out September 8th, and comes along with another new song, “Hard Luck”

The whole album is an “exploration of place, purpose and belonging — told through the eyes of a first generation immigrant and a first-time father” and Patrick says the song itself “is a sorta tongue in cheek song aimed at a narcissist in a perceived state of permanent victimization. Superficial charm, apathetic, and selling dreams that have already been" long-lost. I wrote the song on acoustic guitar, it felt very Lennon ish to me in chords and in its melody, but I was inspired by a recent Motown binge to arrange it in a sort of neo-synthy motown manner.”

The album is already high up on my ‘most anticipated’ list, and check out the new video below!

Kirk

“Uncertain Country” by Great Lake Swimmers

Coming off the announcement of their new album Uncertain Country, Ontario’s Great Lake Swimmers have released the title track.
Accompanying it is a music video, which reminds me of an old Microsoft screensaver (and actually made me kinda dizzy!), but fit the vibe of the tune perfectly.

Of the song, which was written between lockdowns in 2020, lead singer Tony Dekker says: “… in some ways it is a stream-of-consciousness about coming to terms with our changing landscape both environmentally and in the so-called information era. Distortions in both have become glaringly obvious. And as a society we are obliged to find new ways to navigate them. It was also written and performed to be a sort of balm to the collective anxiety of recent years.”

The band has announced a few shows in North America, but we’re still waiting on a Vancouver date.

Christine

“loving you (baby)” by shy kids

Hot on the heels of releasing their latest EP fresh off a feeling, shy kids are not slowing down and have already announced their next album, house cats.

Along with the announcement, they’ve released a new video for “lovin you (baby)”. The video is a trippy fancy-feast — appropriate for the album’s title — with the “idea for the video was to take that hallucinatory trip and bounce between the real and the feral, the human and the animal. All the feelings of being lost out in the world and lost up in your head together, and when you close your eyes, how it feels to come up, blind behind your eyelids.”

Make sure to put the video on full screen & let it wash over you below, and keep an ear out for the rest of house cats, out July 14 on Everything Forever.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: April 03 - 09, 2023

April 10, 2023 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Dancing With The Moonlight” by Hotel Mira

As they kick off their North American tour, Hotel Mira has dropped their latest single, “Dancing with the Moonlight”.

The manic, infectious tune is the third single off their as-yet-unknown upcoming album, and frontman Charlie Kerr says the new song is “about my anxieties of moving to L.A., and that ‘this town is going to eat you alive’ kind of shit. It’s a Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey of a performer trying to make it, and the sacrifices you make to do that…and the fact that people do it anyway. There’s something noble about going after something with such a minimal success rate.”

Check out the new song below, which was produced by Steve Bays (Fur Trade, Hot Hot Heat), and catch them here in Vancouver on June 24 at the Hollywood Theatre.

Kirk

“Road to Hell” by The Matinee

Speaking of “third singles from an upcoming album by a band working with Steve Bays”… The Matinee shared “Road to Hell” last week.

The new single comes just in time to be added to your ‘summer road trip’ playlists, with the band sharing "Everyone has a past, and everyone has a secret they’d rather keep than spill. Matt Rose brought this idea to the table, with vignettes of life and those reflective contemplations we all have when we find ourselves alone at night. We workshopped it right there in the studio, adding another verse and a bridge to finish it off. The song found its groove as a Tom Petty rocker pretty easily… we are looking forward to adding this one to the live set!"

There’s also no solid word on their upcoming album, but hopefully we’ll be hearing (and seeing) more from them this summer.

Kirk

“Are We Good” by Hayden

Hayden’s new album, Are We Good, was released last week, and the title track was also dropped.

I’m a huge fan of this album, start to finish, and I’ve covered a lot of the singles as they were released - so they’re not much else to say except I love it!

Check out “Are We Good” below and then give the rest of the record a spin by clicking here.

Christine

Songs of the Week: March 27 - April 02, 2023

April 03, 2023 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“This Too Shall Pass” by Hannah Georgas

After teasing it’s release last week, Hannah Georgas dropped her new song “This Too Shall Pass” on us!
This track comes with the promise of a new album, where Georgas takes the reins on production, and the recording process was done in Toronto on analog equipment.
Of the vibey little pop tune, she says:
“I think we have all experienced pain from things that have hurt us in our past and carried that weight on our shoulders long after the fact. Sometimes those feelings can resurface and affect us in our everyday lives. I know at least for me it has! This song was inspired by the idea of being able to recognize those feelings when they resurface and to try to move forward in a healthier way.”
Can’t wait for more music from Hannah!

Christine

“Visions” by FRANKIIE

FRANKIIE is having some "Visions". The hazy, psychedelic new single is the second look at their upcoming sophomore album, Between Dreams.

Vocalist/guitarist Francesca Carbonneau says: “When dreams and memories entangle with our present moment, we can begin to question our entire reality. Visions is about that feeling, about sensing something beyond what’s happening right in front of you...as if right below the surface, anything you’ve ever lost is there; waiting for you to reach out your hand and grab it back. Like déja vu, which is something I experience frequently, a single moment can feel surreal, strange and yet strikingly familiar all at once.”

Between Dreams will be out on June 2 via Paper Bag Records, and below is the video, directed by Brandon Fletcher.

Kirk

“Bloom” by Louise Burns

As we inch closer to the new album from Louise Burns, we get one last tease, with the release of the latest single "Bloom" last week.

The new song is an instant earworm, its bright and airy melodies perfect as the weather starts to turn. Of the inspiration for the new track, Burns explains:
“I got heavily into nostalgia as a coping mechanism during the pandemic which influenced some of the sonic palettes I was choosing. I suppose I tried to make a chill out downtempo love song inspired by mid-90’s video game music… I brought it to Jason (Corbett, co-producer) and he really made it come alive. I think it’s my first attempt at a proper love song, in my own faux-misanthropic way…”

The new album Element drops later this month, April 21st on Light Organ Records!

Kirk

“Reality Bites” by Mise en Scene

Manitoba’s Mise en Scene is back with a brand new EP out soon, with a look at the title track dropping last week.

"Reality Bites" was inspired by the '94 movie of the same name, and is a burst of raw emotion and catchy melodies.

The new EP, Reality Bites is out on June 23rd via Light Organ Records.

Kirk

“The Love Still Held Me Near” by City and Colour

If you were at BC Place last week for the RHCP show, you might have caught City and Colour opening it up.
I saw dozens and dozens of instagram stories of the set, and all of them in awe of the performance. Of particular note was Dallas’ band, made up of many familiar faces from our Vancouver music scene.

The new record came out this week, and the title track “The Love Still Held Me Near” was released as well.
It’s a phenomenal album, and I’m proud of the work my friends did to help create it.
Check out the latest song below.

Christine

“Head for the Hills” by Justin Rutledge

Prolific singer/songwriter Justin Rutledge is gearing up for the release of his tenth(!) studio album, Something Easy. Last week he released a video for the latest single, "Head for the Hills".

Rutledge says “I feel like I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life trying to escape the city. I made it out a couple of times—once almost for good—but I guess the skyline called me back. I wouldn’t mind a quieter place to stand one of these days. I’ve tasted that life, and it was good to me. I slept better and woke before the sun, worked with my hands, filled my body with books, and anticipated the solitude at the end of each day. I wrote this song for those who search for that kind of life.”

Check out the video, directed by Kyle Gatehouse, below. And keep an ear out for Something Easy, coming out on May 19 on Outside Music.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: March 20 - 26, 2023

March 27, 2023 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“LOL Trash” by Fur Trade

Fur Trade is back!

It’s been quite a while since “Kids These Days” from Don’t Get Heavy (ten years in fact - 2013! I looked it up) and I was super excited to see the new song in my inbox.

The press released bills “LOL Trash” as “a soaring indie-sleaze glam rock track” which, I think pretty much sums up Fur Trade in general.
The video is also super fun, with some familiar Vancouverite faces, and the boys on a roof.
More please!

Christine

“Hiro Up From The Woodshop” by Wayfinding

About a year ago, Wayfinding debuted at the Calgary Folk Music Festival, and now they’re gearing up to release their debut EP.

Comprised of a lot of familiar faces — Cassia Hardy (Wares), Ryan Beattie (Chet and Himalayan Bear), Marek Tyler, and Matthew Cardinal (both from nêhiyawak) — the band released their latest single “Hiro Up From The Woodshop”, a haunting song that simmers with intensity.

Check out the lyric video below, and their self-titled EP will be out April 21 on Victory Pool Records!

Kirk

“Gaagige” by Zoon

Zoon (Zoongide’ewin), is getting ready for the release of their sophomore album Bekka Ma'iingan with their gorgeous new single, “Gaagige”.

Songwriter Daniel Monkman says “I wrote the music for 'Gaagige' when I was going through a period in my life of questioning life and death. In my language, 'Gaagige' means forever. I started to obsess about the concept of 'forever.' When I was younger, that concept started to scare me because I really wanted death to be the final resting spot. Now, ten years later, I have a new relationship with death and this song is about me accepting and not worrying.”

Bekka Ma'iingan is out April 28 on Paper Bag Records, and you can check out the trippy visualizer for “Gaagige” below!

Kirk